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Glory of Woman: An Introduction to Prescriptive Literature: 1630-1749

The Glory of Woman: Prescriptive Literature, 1630 - 1749

Allestree, Richard. The Ladies' Calling. Oxford: At the Theater, 1673.
Addresses female virtue and the duties of motherhood and marriage. For example, wives “are to be extremely tender of [their husband’s reputation], to advance it, by making all that is good in him conspicuous, as public as they can; setting his worth in the [clearest] light, but putting his infirmities in the shade…”.

Astell, Mary. Some Reflections Upon Marriage: with additions. London: Printed for W. Parker, 1730.
“A Woman who seeks consolation under Domestick Troubles from the Gaieties of a Court, from Gallantry, Gaming, rambling in Search of odd Adventures, childish, ridiculous and ill-natur’d Amusements…will find these are very insignificant Applications; they hardly skin the Wound, and can never heal it…”.

Brathwait, Richard. The English Gentlewoman, Drawne Out to the Full Body. London: Printed by B. Alsop and T. Fauucet, for Michaell Sparke, 1631
Brathwait discusses the conduct, dress, and moral character of a proper English gentlewoman.

Carey, Henry. A Learned Dissertation on Dumpling: its dignity, antiquity, and excellence: with a word upon pudding… London: Printed for J. Roberts, 1726
This wry essay examines the “dignity, antiquity, and excellence” of dumpling and pudding: “…there is nothing valuable in Art or Nature, but what, more or less, has an Allusion to Pudding or Dumpling. Why then should they be held in disesteem?”

Dunton, John. The Ladies Dictionary. London: Printed for J. Dunton, 1694
This amazing volume is “a Compleat Directory to the Female-Sex in all Relations, Companies, Conditions and States of Life.” The entries range from biographical sketches of women in history, mythology, and the Bible; to topics like adultery, keeping house, obedience to parents, painting of the face, virgins, and wives.

Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of. Miscellanies. London: Printed for Matt. Gillyflower, 1700.
In the essay entitled “Advice to a Daughter,” Halifax offers moral guidance and practical advice on topics like how to handle a husband who “[loves] wine more than is convenient.”

The Ladies Library. London: J. and R. Tonson, 1739.
“Nature …teaches us that Meekness is a Property of Women, whom she has made with a more smooth and soft Composition of Body, and intends doubtless, that the Mind should correspond with it.”

Lynch, Francis. The Virgin's Nosegay, or, The Duties of Christian Virgins… London: Printed for T. Meighan, 1744.
In an effort to reverse young women’s “loose, forward and immodest Behaviour,” Lynch advises them on “TRUTHS necessary to be known, VICES necessary to be avoided, [and] VIRTUES necessary to be practiced.”

Vænius, Ernestus. Tractatus Physiologicus de Pulchritudine… Bruxellis: Typis Fransisci Foppens, 1662.
An examination of the female physiognomy and its correspondence to emotions, beauty, and to certain animal types.